Thoracentesis cost in Louisiana
In Louisiana, 13 hospitals publish a cash price for thoracentesis with imaging guidance: from $199.52 to $813.94, with a median of $646.80. The lowest price is at West Jefferson Medical Center (Marrero). The highest price is 4.1× the lowest.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 32555. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Sep 23, 2026.
Lowest$199.52West Jefferson Medical Center
Median$646.80half pay less
Highest$813.94in Louisiana
Lowest saves$447.28vs the median
Hospitals in Louisiana, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Jefferson Medical Center lowest Marrero · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $199.52 | $1,247.00 | Jun 30, 2026 source file |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $263.90 | $1,885.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| New Orleans East Hospital New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $326.72 | $2,042.00 | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Hardtner Medical Center Olla · Olla, LA 32555-Thoracentesis w/ Imaging Guidance | $400.00 | $500.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Natchitoches · Natchitoches, LA ASPIRATE PLEURA W/IMAGING | $614.80 | $1,537.00 | Mar 18, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $638.82 | $2,366.00 | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| East Jefferson General Hospital Metairie · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $646.80 | $4,620.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakeside Hospital Metairie · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $646.80 | $4,620.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Covington · Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $646.80 | $4,620.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Tulane Medical Center New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $646.80 | $4,620.00 | Jun 25, 2026 source file |
| St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Alexandria · Alexandria, LA HC 32555 THORACENTESIS NDL/CATH,ASP PLRL SP; W/IMG GUIDE | $686.92 | $2,642.00 | Jan 13, 2026 source file |
| University Med Center New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA Removal of Fluid From Chest Cavity With Imaging Guidance | $713.90 | $3,245.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center Independence · Hammond, LA ASPIRATE PLEURA W/ IMAGING | $813.94 | $1,356.57 | — source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 8 | $199.52 | $642.81 |
| Alexandria, LA | 1 | $686.92 | $686.92 |
| Hammond, LA | 1 | $813.94 | $813.94 |
| Natchitoches, LA | 1 | $614.80 | $614.80 |
| Olla, LA | 1 | $400.00 | $400.00 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 1 | $646.80 | $646.80 |
What it is
Thoracentesis removes fluid from around the lungs with a needle, using ultrasound to guide it.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the procedure and guidance. Lab tests on the fluid are billed separately.
Thoracentesis with imaging guidance in other states
- Alabama$3,129.16
- Alaska$2,541.24
- Arizona$5,748.00
- Arkansas$809.60
- California$2,033.20
- Colorado$4,893.55
- Connecticut$847.92
- Delaware$1,784.75
- Florida$2,001.98
- Georgia$2,939.04
- Hawaii$925.80
- Idaho$1,672.00
- Illinois$960.00
- Indiana$1,219.40
- Iowa$766.40
- Kansas$3,616.60
- Kentucky$2,895.22
- Maine$377.30
- Maryland$1,580.35
- Massachusetts$1,645.70
- Michigan$1,084.15
- Minnesota$1,045.58
- Mississippi$643.32
- Missouri$720.85
- Montana$447.99
- Nebraska$630.87
- Nevada$1,231.80
- New Hampshire$820.64
- New Jersey$818.31
- New Mexico$934.15
- New York$737.31
- North Carolina$1,571.00
- North Dakota$599.76
- Ohio$1,825.53
- Oklahoma$673.55
- Oregon$868.70
- Pennsylvania$1,425.60
- Rhode Island$2,700.00
- South Carolina$1,486.25
- South Dakota$1,842.00
- Tennessee$487.08
- Texas$1,325.03
- Utah$1,348.18
- Vermont$500.00
- Virginia$1,659.00
- Washington$1,366.08
- West Virginia$1,626.31
- Wisconsin$1,150.00
- Wyoming$727.08
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.